Why does NASA want to leave Earth?

NASA's Earth Science division operates more than 20 satellites in orbit and funds hundreds of programs and research efforts. Its data sets cover even the most remote regions of the planet and are freely and openly available to anyone. Its stated goal is to understand how our planet works, for the benefit of humanity, and to gain the knowledge needed to explore other moons and planets. None of its programs mention emigration, and there is no official document that sets relocating humanity as a goal. The founding law of 1958 calls for aeronautical and space research activities and names, as its first objective, expanding knowledge of phenomena in the atmosphere and in space.

NASA itself explains the reasons. Its Moon to Mars architecture aims at long-term, human-led scientific discovery in deep space. With the Artemis missions, the agency explores the Moon in search of scientific discoveries and technological advances, while also learning to live and work on another world as preparation for crewed missions to Mars. The architecture is presented as a roadmap for long-term exploration of the lunar surface, the first steps on the red planet, and the journey beyond, drawn up together with partners from industry, science, and the international community. At no point is a relocation of humanity mentioned.

The idea that Earth will stop being safe in the long run does not come from NASA's programs. In popular perception it gets mixed up with government Moon programs, which are meant as preparation for Mars missions, not emigration. Anyone comparing priorities will see the opposite of a flight: part of the scientific fleet is constantly looking down.